Richmond to consider minimum wage hike

A Richmond council member is seeking to put a measure on the November ballot that could raise the city’s minimum wage to at least $11, potentially making it the region’s highest.

Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles sponsored the resolution, scheduled to be heard at Tuesday night’s council meeting, to direct city staff to draft three possible minimum wage hikes – $11, $12.30 or $15. The options could come back to the council for consideration within 60 days.

If the council approves one of the rates, Richmond voters would have the final say on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The proposed minimum wage hike would exempt businesses with less than 10 employees and those operating less than two years in Richmond with fewer than 26 workers.

“People are really having a hard time making ends meet and they are stressed out,” Beckles said. “As the cost of living has increased in the Bay Area, the minimum wage rate has not. We are trying to correct that in Richmond.”

Richmond’s proposal would be a boost over the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 and the state rate of $8.